A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Auckland for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Bandung or Auckland?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Auckland? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bandung

Bandung is a scenic, laidback, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bandung travel costs.

Auckland

Auckland is a adrenaline-filled, thrill-seeking, and cosmopolitan city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Auckland travel costs.

Bandung and Auckland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Auckland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Auckland than Bandung. While Bandung is larger than Auckland, Auckland has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Auckland is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bandung attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and shopping. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Auckland is famous for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also well known for the Sky Tower.

How is Bandung different from Auckland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auckland and Bandung. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Auckland?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Bandung or Auckland.

Bandung offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Many visitors head to Auckland specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Auckland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Bandung has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Dining out in Auckland is an experience not to be missed. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

Bandung has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Beaches?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Auckland is considered a top beach destination. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Hiking?

Bandung is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

Auckland has hiking trails worth exploring. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Auckland?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Bandung draws large crowds to its stores. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Auckland. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Families?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Auckland is a very family-friendly destination. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Auckland make for a great place to visit.

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Couples visit Auckland frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung and Auckland are both great destinations for backpackers.

Bandung is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Auckland is a great city to visit for backpackers. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Students?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Auckland is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Bandung is popular with students. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Is Bandung or Auckland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Bandung and Auckland.

Bandung has some public transit options. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

You'll find some public transit in Auckland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Is Bandung or Auckland a more walkable city?

Bandung is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Bandung is a very walkable city. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Auckland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auckland or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Auckland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bandung and Auckland. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Auckland than Bandung. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Auckland, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bandung than Auckland. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bandung that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bandung than Auckland if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bandung.

One day in Bandung or Auckland?

The city of Bandung offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Because Auckland is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bandung or Auckland?

Bandung is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bandung, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Because Auckland is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Auckland has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Auckland?

Bandung is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Auckland is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Auckland?

Bandung is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auckland. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Auckland. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bandung is in Asia and Auckland is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Auckland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Auckland?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Auckland, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.